Humanities and Arts
A Comparative Study on Register Based on Chinese and International Studies: A Scientometric Analysis in CiteSpace (2010-2021)
rnfinity
Dong Kaixuan
Dong Kaixuan
College of Foreign languages, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
This paper conducts a comprehensive review and comparative analysis of the research on register published in Chinese and international authoritative journals from 2010 to 2021 by employing CiteSpace 5.8.R3, a visual bibliometric software. It describes the number of publications, the keywords with the strongest citation bursts, research institutions, journals and influential authors, and pinpoints the principal frontiers of register. The results indicate that the number of publications of Chinese register research has shown a significant downward trend on the whole, while international register research has shown a significant upward trend on the whole. The journal of high-cited papers on register studies in China has a low impact factor, while international hot papers on register studies have a high impact factor. Chinese scholars focus on the different research perspectives of the register (systemic functional linguistics, multidimensional analysis and corpus), while international research pays attention to register variation, especially English variation and Spanish variation, and register in academic writing. Influential scholars leading the trend of register research include Biber and Rooy. The findings of this study would provide some academic and pedagogical implications on the register for Chinese scholars.
Key Questions
What is the main focus of the article on register research from 2010 to 2021?
The article conducts a comprehensive review and comparative analysis of register research published in Chinese and international authoritative journals from 2010 to 2021. It uses CiteSpace, a visual bibliometric software, to analyze the number of publications, keywords with the strongest citation bursts, research institutions, journals, and influential authors. The study aims to identify the principal frontiers of register research and provide insights into the differences between Chinese and international research trends.
What are the key trends in Chinese register research from 2010 to 2021?
Chinese register research has shown a significant downward trend since 2011, with a sharp decline in the number of publications. The research focuses on systemic functional linguistics, multidimensional analysis, corpus studies, translation, context, register variation, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). However, the overall impact factor of Chinese journals publishing register research is relatively low, and there is a lack of concentrated research on specific topics.
What are the key trends in international register research from 2010 to 2021?
International register research has shown a significant upward trend, with a steady increase in the number of publications since 2009. The research focuses on language, discourse, register variation, corpus studies, academic writing, perception, acquisition, identity, and multidimensional analysis. International journals publishing register research have a higher impact factor, and the research is more diversified and in-depth compared to Chinese studies.
What are the main differences between Chinese and international register research?
The main differences between Chinese and international register research include: 1. **Research Trends**: Chinese research has declined since 2011, while international research has steadily increased. 2. **Journal Impact**: Chinese journals have a lower impact factor compared to international journals. 3. **Research Focus**: Chinese research focuses on systemic functional linguistics, multidimensional analysis, and corpus studies, while international research is more diversified, covering language variation, academic writing, and identity. 4. **Collaboration**: There is less collaboration among Chinese authors and institutions compared to international researchers, who have formed more cohesive research groups.
What are the key research hotspots in Chinese register studies?
The key research hotspots in Chinese register studies include: 1. **Systemic Functional Linguistics**: Analysis of register from the perspective of Halliday’s systemic functional linguistics. 2. **Multidimensional Analysis**: Application of multidimensional analysis to study register variation and discourse features. 3. **Corpus Studies**: Use of corpora to analyze language features and register variation. 4. **Translation and Context**: Exploration of register in translation studies and contextual analysis. 5. **ESP (English for Specific Purposes)**: Research on register in specialized fields such as business English and customs English.
What are the key research hotspots in international register studies?
The key research hotspots in international register studies include: 1. **Language and Discourse**: Analysis of language features and discourse patterns in different registers. 2. **Register Variation**: Study of variation in registers, particularly in English and Spanish. 3. **Academic Writing**: Exploration of register in academic writing and English for Academic Purposes (EAP). 4. **Corpus Linguistics**: Use of corpora to study register variation and language features. 5. **Identity and Perception**: Research on how register influences identity and perception in language use.
Who are the influential scholars in register research?
Influential scholars in register research include: 1. **Douglas Biber**: Known for his work on multidimensional analysis and corpus-based register studies. 2. **Bertus van Rooy**: Focuses on register variation and language acquisition. 3. **Haidee Kruger**: Specializes in corpus linguistics and register analysis. 4. **Jesse Egbert**: Works on corpus-based register studies and academic writing. 5. **Bethany Gray**: Known for her research on academic writing and register variation.
What are the implications for future Chinese register research?
The study suggests that future Chinese register research should focus on: 1. **Language-Oriented Inquiry**: Expanding research to include other languages such as French, German, and Japanese, and conducting comparative analyses of language features. 2. **Corpus-Oriented Research**: Combining corpus studies with multidimensional analysis to explore register variation and language features. 3. **ESP (English for Specific Purposes)**: Conducting more in-depth research on specialized registers such as medical English, engineering English, and economic English. 4. **Collaboration**: Strengthening cooperation among authors and institutions to promote sustainable and stable development of register research.
What are the limitations of the study?
The study has some limitations, including: 1. **Data Collection**: The research is limited to core collections of Web of Science and CNKI, which may exclude some relevant studies. 2. **Software Limitations**: The study uses CiteSpace for bibliometric analysis, but other functions such as Timeline and Time Zone were not explored. 3. **Scope**: The study focuses on the period from 2010 to 2021, which may not capture earlier or more recent trends in register research.
What are the future directions for register research?
Future directions for register research include: 1. **Language Analysis**: Expanding research to include more languages and comparative studies. 2. **Corpus and Multidimensional Analysis**: Using advanced corpus tools and multidimensional analysis to study register variation. 3. **ESP and Academic Writing**: Focusing on specialized registers and academic writing to better understand language features and improve teaching practices. 4. **Collaboration and Innovation**: Encouraging more collaboration among researchers and exploring new methodologies and technologies for register analysis.
